About SWCX

League Profile

Welcome to the South West Cyclocross League! We provide a competitive but fun environment for all ages and abilities with events across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. 

Registration for the league will be via the British Cycling portal. There is no need to email the league prior to joining.

SWCX is open to all cyclists and cycling clubs. Non-league members are welcome to compete but only those who join the league will be allocated League points. Fees enable the league to purchase key race infrastructure. By joining the league you will be gridded and receive your own set of race numbers (meaning you can put those numbers on in the warm the night before!)

To qualify for overall league standings, riders must be league registered, and compete in at least 5 out of 8 rounds, with the best 6 scores going towards the overall result. If you volunteer for a round you are able to get average points for that round (please get the race organiser to let the League know you have volunteered).

We have a recommended minimum age of 5 years old to participate and that participants must be able to ride a pedal bike unattended, with no balance bikes allowed.

Age categories for the 2024/25 season:

The following age categories are in effect from 1^st September 2024. 

U8 born in 2017 or later 

U10 born in 2015 or 2016 

U12 born in 2013 or 2014 

Youth U14 born in 2011 or 2012

Youth U16 born in 2009 or 2010

Junior born in 2007 or 2008

Senior born 1985 to 2006 

Vet 40 – 49 born 1975 to 1984

Vet 50 – 59 born 1965 to 1974

Vet 60 – 69 born 1964 or earlier 

Race day schedule: 

Race	Practice	Race Time	Category	Duration
Race 1	09:00 – 09:40	09:45	U8’s	15 Mins
Race 2	09:00 – 09:40	10.15	U10 & U12	20 Mins
Race 3	09:00 – 09:40 & 10:00 – 10:45 (all elements except U10 /U12 Course	11.00	Youth	30 Mins
Race 4	11:40 – 12:20 13:20 – 13:35	12.30	Open Vet 50, Open Vet 60, Junior Womens, Novice	45 Mins
Race 5	11:40 – 12:20 13:20 – 13:35	13.45	Open Senior, Open V40’s	60 Mins

South West Cyclocross League Dates 2024-5

Round 1 – Cricket St.Thomas 29/09/2024
Round 2 – Redruth 06/10/2024
Round 3 – Coxleigh Barton 13/10/2024
Round 4 – Wadebridge Showground 20/10/2024
Round 5 – Newnham Top 03/11/2024
Round 6 – Escot 10/11/2024
Round 7 – Torbay (Regional Champs) 24/11/2024
Round 8 – Newnham Bottom 01/12/2024
Round 9 – Exeter (Venue TBC) 08/12/2024

Basic equipment

The below list is not exhaustive and it is up to you to ensure you come fully prepared but you may like to bring some (all!) of the following:

Please don’t be put off by the above list. To start with you need yourself, a bike and a helmet.
League riders and their supporters are a friendly bunch who are always willing to help newcomers or even seasoned campaigners who have forgotten something.

Race licences

Riders aged 16 and over require a British Cycling race licence or a day licence which can be purchased for £5 at sign on. The £5 payable by Non-Members at Cyclo-cross Meetings has previously been referred to as a ‘day surcharge’.  Youth riders are exempt from this, and so it is payable by Junior riders and above.

Race entry

All races can be entered online using the British Cycling website, up until the Wednesday evening before the race on Sunday. Entering online makes sign on quicker, plus it costs less. You can still enter on the day and pay a little more.

Race timing chips

All riders will be issued with a chip and strap for their ankles which will be used to time the race. You will be asked to leave your race licence, or if you don’t have one, a £10 deposit until you return your chip. Please ensure you return your chip before you leave.

Race numbers

For those riders registered with the league you will be able to hold onto your number at the end of each race. You will be issued with two numbers (1) the larger one for your lower back and (2) the smaller one for your shoulder (usually your left but this can depend on which side the lap counters are situated).

The event organiser’s race notes will let you know which shoulder to pin your number on.

Those rider who are not registered for the league must also hand their numbers back at the end of the race.

Registering for the League

Riders are able to register for the league providing them with a number of benefits:

You will be able to earn league points, giving you an overall position within the series;

You will be gridded for safety at the start of each race; and

You will be provided with your own back and arm number to wear throughout the season and to keep at the end.

Registration for the 2024/2025 season closes 15th August. You can still ride at the events without league registration.

More information – League Registration

League Points

League points will be allocated to league registered riders depending on finishing position. A minimum of 5 rounds needs to be entered to qualify for a final league position.

To qualify for overall league standings, riders must be league registered, and compete in a minimum of 5 out of 9 rounds, with the best 7 scores going towards the overall result. Standings can be found here: https://swcx.org/wordpress/league-standings/

More information – League Rules Explained

End of Season Awards

For information on the end of Season Awards for league registered riders….

More information – Awards & Presentation

Gridding

League registered riders will be gridded for safety at the start of each race. The gridding for the first event of the season will be based on the final gridding last season.

If you are new to the league and league registration you will start behind the other registered riders. However, if you feel that you should be gridded, please use the contact form providing evidence supporting your request for gridding.

As the season progresses, you will be gridded based on your 2 best results of the season. PLEASE NOTE: League points and gridding apply to league registered riders only.

You should arrive for gridding 10 minutes before the scheduled start time of your race to allow time for the gridding process and rider briefing. If you miss your name due to being late, you will have to slot into next available space in the grid. You may be asked to line either side of the start area, side by side. This is a process used nationally to speed up the gridding process.

The bell

In all races, a bell will sound when the race leader enters their final lap. All riders finish on the same lap as the race leader and will be shown a chequered flag to show that their race has finished. A lapboard will be used throughout the races to show riders how many laps the leader has left.

Podiums

There will be podium presentations for each race. The U8s, U10s and U12s presentation usually takes place just before midday with the youth presentation normally being around 13.15 and all others following race 5. All these times are subject to the event and you should check when and where the presentations will take place on the day.

Equipment pits

In races for the U12’s, no exchange of equipment is allowed

Races 3, 4 and 5 are provided with an equipment pit, marked with yellow flags. The pits can be used for spare bikes, wheels, pumps etc. Riders from race 3 should not access the pits until after race 2 has finished to allow the youth riders full use of the pit area during their race.

We ask that spectators do not gather within the pit area and only those assisting riders access the pit area during a race. No pressure washers are allowed in the pit area but you can use buckets of water and cleaning equipment. Organisers will aim to provide a jet wash area near the pits if space is available.

No ‘Feeding up’ allowed.

‘Feeding up’ refers to the handing of drinks, gels or food to a rider that is on course during the race. It also includes food and bottle left on the floor in the pits. If you feel you may require any drinks or food, you must have them attached to your bike or on your person. Any rider breaching this rule is subject to disqualification.

Club Kit

If you are a Youth or Senior rider and member of a cycling club, you are expected to wear your official club kit while racing. If you are a member of more than one club, you must wear the kit belonging to the club that you used to register to the league. Take this opportunity to represent your club and the sponsors that support them. Commissaires will use their discretion regarding the issue of warnings for those repeatedly not wearing their relevant club kit.

If you are an independent rider you are not permitted to wear any replica team kit.

These rules do not apply to under 12s or novice riders, but if you have a club kit, we would love to see you representing them.

Yellow and Red Flags

New warning flags will come into use this cross season. These flags will be positioned at the pits and the start/finish area but they may also be waved at you by a commissaire out on the course.

Yellow Flag – This will warn you of a potential hazard ahead of you on the course. This may be a rider down, damage to the course or a sudden change in course due to an incident.

YELLOW FLAG MEANS PROCEED WITH CAUTION

Red Flag – In the unlikely event this is shown, please immediately stop the race and await further instruction.

RED FLAG MEANS STOP THE RACE IMMEDIATELY.

It’s a Family Affair

Please remember that this is a family event. Respect your fellow riders, marshals, commissaires and spectators. Events are run by volunteers who give up their time to put these races on. Any inappropriate behaviour or language may result in further action being taken.

Any rider who has a complaint should direct it to the commissaires within 30 minutes of results being announced.

For the league welfare officer, Kari Eilertsen, please email kari.eilertsen@swcx.org